Squeeze In A Mini-Workout

I’m tired. I don’t have time. I can’t afford a gym membership.
How often have we all given these excuses as reasons for not exercising, promising to start doing better tomorrow?

Exercise isn’t just about losing weight or toning up. Engaging in daily physical activity can have significant health benefits, such as, helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and it can also help significantly improve your quality of life!

And you don’t have to take large chunks out of your day to fit in exercise, or invest in expensive pieces of workout equipment. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, research shows that doing three 10-minute spurts of moderate-intensity exercise throughout the day is as effective as working out for 30 minutes straight. So make your health a priority, and schedule time throughout your day to fit in a few mini-workouts. Here are a few ideas to help you fit exercise into your daily schedule:

Get moving in the morning. Wake up a little earlier than usual and take a brisk walk around your neighborhood. It will leave you feeling alert and energized to face the day ahead.

Ditch the car. Go green and get fit in the process by leaving the car at home, and running errands on foot or on your bike. Carrying groceries home from the supermarket can give you an aerobic and strength training workout all in one!

Get active on your lunch hour. Get some co-workers together and start a lunchtime exercise routine. Try jogging around the block (or parking lot), or up and down stairs if you work in a high-rise building. If your workplace has a break room, you can use the room to get some squats and lunges in, or to do some yoga, which can also help to re-energize you and avoid that mid-afternoon slump.

Make your chores work for you. Pick up the pace to get your heart pumping as you wash your floors, scrub your bathroom, or rake your yard. Not only will you get dreaded chores out of the way, but you’ll also burn extra calories in the process!

Make fitness a family affair. Take your family to the park for a bike ride, a game of basketball, or a calorie-blasting game of handball. During the summer months, take a family trip to the local lake or pool for a refreshing swim.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article or blog are strictly those of the author. The contents of this article or blog and any reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service whether by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by ISI Brands and ISI Brands assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, service or process disclosed or referenced herein. All information is provided on an as-is basis and is provide for information purposes only. Always consult your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program.